Digital SLR Reviews Blog

Tamrac Explorer 2 DSLR Camera Bag Black

The Explorer 2 is ideal for carrying most digital or film SLRs (like Canon’s 20D) with a grip and zoom lens attached, several additional lenses, a flash and accessories.The main compartment features Tamrac’s Dual Foam Technology for shock protection and a custom fit to equipment. An external front pocket features Tamrac’s patented Memory & Battery Management System, which uses red flags to identify which memory cards and batteries are available and which ones are used up. A Speed Pocketon the front flap secures and provides quick access to small accessories. A Total Coverage Top with quick-release buckle and zipper closures provides weather protection. Inside the lid is a smooth nylon pocket for holding lens cleaning paper and an open pocket in the back holds an instruction manual. An adjustable, BioCurve non-slip shoulder strap, and an EasyGrip carrying handle provide convenient carrying options for the Explorer 2.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars camera bag
much too small for my use–perfect for one camera, flash and an extra lens–very well made–

5 Stars Excellent Bag…better than expected!!
This bag has received some excellent reviews, and everything I wanted to say about this bag has already been said by others, so I will keep this short. I was quite impressed with the construction of this bag. The quality of the materials and workmanship was better than expected. The bag fits my Sony Alpha 350 with battery pack and Sigma 18-250mm lens attached perfectly. It has enough room remaining to store my Sony SAL 1118 (11-18mm lens) along with the Sony HVL-F56AM (which is a large flash). There is also enough room to fit extra batteries, lens filters and some cleaning supplies. I bought this bag to act as my “day bag” for walking around town when my larger sling bag is just not practical. For this, the Tamrac Explorer 2 is perfect.

4 Stars Decent Camera Bag
This is a decent camera bag. It holds all the camera equipment I have so far. I have a Nikon D60, SB-600, 18-55mm lens, a 55-200mm lens on camera and a lens hood. All these fit in the main compartments and my spare battery and cleaning stuff fits in the front pocket. It is a decent buy and I would recommend it if you have about the same amount of camera equipment.

3 Stars Camera Bag was too big
This camera bag was a little too big for my Nikon D80 with lens attached. I couldn’t put the camera in lens down (as the illustration showed) because I felt there wasn’t enough support from the form dividers. Putting it in camera down made it awkward getting the camera out. I tried putting the camera in sideways, but I couldn’t get the form divides positioned properly to support the lens.

5 Stars Roomier than Explorer 1 (Tamrac 5501) for a DSLR with extra lenses
I’ve been using an Explorer 1 to carry a Nikon D40x+lens, two extra lenses, and a flash. Everything “kind of” fits, but the bag’s overstuffed, so the camera sticks up above the zipper. The bag closes, but bulges, with the LCD pressed against the top flap. A Nikon D90 is just a teeny bit taller & wider, so it sticks up even more… too much more for my peace of mind.

The Explorer 2 is just a little bigger in all dimensions than the Explorer 1… big enough to comfortably hold all the same equipment for the D90, and the camera does not protrude. The “2″ also comes with a pair of horizontal dividers to let you stack things on top of each other, on either side of the camera. Getting to a lower lens might be a little challenging, and my gear doesn’t need these; but they could be useful for some people.

This Explorer 2 is only $5 more than the Explorer 1, and I wish I’d gotten it in the first place, only because it’s roomier. The construction and extra pockets are the same for both bags: excellent workmanship, good protection, and places for lots of little things.

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